Meghalaya Chief Minister today termed a 'criminal conspiracy' on the rights activists allegation that the state’s two laws – the Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act and the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act – are 'draconian' for their random application on rights activists.

"There is evil design brought in conspiracy to create confusion, create public anger that will ultimately leads to law and order chaos and public disorder in the state," Chief Minister told reporters.

He said it can be considered as criminal conspiracy of the intention of the rights activists is to create confusion and law and order situation but said the state government will verify if the allegation is a reflection of the lack of knowledge.

A progressive people’s organisation launched a public campaign in celebrating the International Human Rights Day seeking withdraw of the two Acts which activists termed it as 'draconian'.

"Laws like the preventive detention act and the maintenance of public order act have institutionalized human rights violations," social activist Angela Rangad of Thma-U-Rangli-Juki said.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma defended that his government merely gave some amendment to the laws to ensure that the laws do not exist for the sake of name.

A number of people ranging from leaders of pressure groups, militants and criminals have been booked under the MPDA.

Two leaders of pro inner-line permit (ILP) groups who were arrested by police recently have been booked under the preventive detention act for their active participation and engagement in the ILP-related anti-government protests.

The state government had also slapped the arrested chairman of the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) Champion R Sangma with the MPDA.